Management of Retrocalcaneal bursitis through Ayurveda: An experience

Retrocalcaneal bursitis is an inflammatory condition of the bursa located between the calcaneus and the Achilles tendon, often resulting in chronic pain, swelling, and restricted mobility. From an Ayurvedic perspective, it may be correlated with Asthi-Snayugata vata , a disorder characterized by vitiated Vata dosha (~ Dosha responsible for movement and cognition) affecting the musculoskeletal structures. Conventional treatment modalities do not provide sustainable relief in chronic cases. This case report presents a 28-year-old male with right heel pain and swelling for nine months, which got aggravated by prolonged standing and walking. The patient was already diagnosed with retrocalcaneal bursitis and had limited improvement with prior standard conservative management. An integrative treatment approach, comprising Ayurvedic interventions such as Agnikarma (~thermal cauterization), Marma chikitsa (~vital point therapy), and Ishtika sweda (~sudation therapy using a heated brick), along with Kinesiology taping as an adjunctive biomechanical support to optimize functional outcomes, was provided for a duration of one month. Clinical assessments were done on Days 7, 14, and 21 during the treatment period, followed by a one-month posttreatment follow-up evaluation. The patient experienced significant reduction in pain and tenderness, along with improvement in walking ability and functional mobility during the treatment period. This case highlights the potential of integrative medicine in managing chronic musculoskeletal disorders such as retrocalcaneal bursitis by addressing symptoms and underlying pathophysiological aspects. However, further research with larger patient cohorts is warranted to validate these findings and to develop standardized integrative treatment protocols for managing similar conditions.